The Federal Court and the Australian System of Justice
The Federal Court of Australia is part of a democratic system of government that has its foundations in the Australian Constitution - the document that helped bring the nation into existence in 1901. But just how does it work? This DVD attempts to explain - in simple terms - the difference between the three arms of government and how the courts operate at both a state and federal level.
Duration: 7 minutes Date produced: 2005 Target audience: Court staff, students (secondary and tertiary), overseas visitors.
How a Case Travels through the Federal Court
This DVD explains how a case travels through the Federal Court from the moment it is filed until the time it is finalised. It covers the progress of an application from filing to preparation for hearing, the actual hearing, and how the matter is concluded.
The court’s key focus is to resolve disputes through effective and timely case management. It aims to deliver most judgments within three months of the conclusion of the hearing depending on complexity of the case and the pressure of other business.
Duration:10 minutes Date produced: 2007 Target audience: Court staff, students, members of the legal profession.
The Role of Judicial Officers in Australia
Australia has more than one thousand judicial officers who effectively comprise the judiciary or third arm of government. Judicial officers include judges and magistrates from Commonwealth, State and Territory courts.
This DVD explains the nature of judicial independence, what judges do, the impact of their decisions, public confidence in the judiciary and what would happen if Australia did not have judicial independence at the heart of its democracy.
Duration: 17 minutes Date produced: 2007 Target audience: Court staff, students, members of the legal profession.
Achieving Major Change in the Federal Court of Australia
From its creation in 1976, the jurisdiction of the Federal Court of Australia has developed to a point where it now deals with almost every aspect of Federal law in civil cases.
With such a constantly growing and evolving workload, it has had to be highly adaptable and at the forefront of change. In the mid 1990s - confronted by budget constraints, obsolete technology and procedures that desperately required an overhaul - the Federal Court critically reappraised its priorities.
This DVD explains how the court achieved its goal of becoming a world class institution.
Duration: 7 minutes Date produced: 2005 Target audience: Court staff, overseas visitors, students, members of the legal profession.
The Court Room
This DVD explains the general layout of a court room, the various roles of the participants, the protocols that allow court business to be conducted efficiently, and the role of technology. This layout is common to most civil courts in Australia.
Duration: 9 minutes Date produced: 2007 Target audience: Court staff, students, members of the legal profession.
The Commonwealth Law Courts building in Adelaide has set a new bench mark in court house design on an international scale.
Consistent with the vision of the city's legendary founder, Colonel William Light, the building blends perfectly with its surroundings and provides a sense of well being for visitors. A unique feature is the imposing copper section that contains seven court rooms, the axis of which aligns with an important historical meeting place within Victoria Square for the indigenous Kauna people.
Duration: 9 minutes Date produced: 2006 Target audience: Court staff, members of the legal profession, overseas visitors, architects.
Gray Hawk: Master Furniture Maker
The River Red Gum, or Karra in the language of the Kuarna People of the Adelaide Plains, is the most common tree of the rivers and streams of the Murray Darling Basin. Indigenous Australians used the tree to make canoes, weapons and shelters. Some of the trees had great spiritual significance. The early settlers used the River Red Gum to build wharves, railways and houses.
At the request of the Federal Court, the Commonwealth commissioned Gray Hawk to use River Red Gum to create the Bench, Bar table and paneling in the principal courtroom of the new Commonwealth Law Courts, Adelaide. This DVD shows how an artist, and master craftsman in timber, took an ancient tree and transformed it into inspiring furniture for one of Australia's important public spaces.
Duration: 6 minutes Date produced:2006 Target audience:Court staff, members of the legal profession, overseas visitors, architects.
